NOBLE EXCUSE

made it easy to wrap her arms around his neck and lean into his kiss. Her sundress was over her knees, which were soon parted to allow Andrew to stand closer to her. All that heat generated from two specific places. And both of those places, Rose realized with some degree of fascination, were touching.

Except for a scrap of silk and a zipper.

"What are we doing?" she managed to say when she paused for breath. His eyes were level with hers, and he looked just as stunned. And just as ready to head back to bed.

"Making love on the counter." His rough skinned hands swept slowly up the tops of her thighs.

"We can't," Rose managed to say, but his thumb hit a spot that made her jump.

"You want to," he said, tickling her neck with his lips as his fingers brushed the elastic edge of her panties.

"This is going to be embarrassing," she warned.

"Francisca won't sleep forever and Bobby must be..."

"Checking on the horses," he finished for her, but he removed his hands from under her dress and pulled down the hem. Then he put his palms flat on the counter on either side of her hips and held her gaze. "This has got to stop."

She didn't expect to feel so disappointed. "I agree. If you will ask someone to drive me to the airport..."

He swore, then apologized. "You are not making this easy," he said, frowning. "Take a ride with me."

"Not unless it's to the airport, and even then I don't think it's a good idea that you drive..."

"To my home," he said, ignoring her protests.

"Bobby's grandfather left me a real nice piece of property northwest of here. The house isn't much to look at, but it will do. For now."

"I made plane reservations.

"Cancel them."

"I have to leave."

"Why?"

Good question, she thought. So she wouldn't fall into bed with him again? So she wouldn't embarrass herself once more by her powerful sexual attraction to a man she hardly knew?

"Because we seem to keep doing... this," she said, adjusting her dress and attempting to put her knees together.

Andrew backed up and let her fuss. "I thought you wanted to stop the wedding." He said it as of he thought she needed reminding.

"I've decided to mind my own business." She hopped off the counter and smoothed her hair in place behind her ears. "You were right. It's time I let Francisca live here life."

"That's nice," Francisca said, hiding a yawn as she stepped into the kitchen. "And I appreciate it, but why can't you stay and be my maid of honor?

Inner thoughts *Because I want to have sex on the kitchen counter with the groom's Foreman, that's why.* She didn't dare look over at Andrew while she tried to think of an answer. "I can come back for the wedding," Rose promised, knowing it sounded lame.

"Are you leaving because you don't like Bobby?"

Andrew asked.

"Of course not. I, um, feel a little out of place, that's all."

"We could use a housekeeper," Andrew said, picking up the apron from the floor. He grinned at her. "Do you want a job?"

"I'd rather go after Mrs Martin and apologize some more."

"Where'd she go?" asked Francisca

"Pookie upset her again, so she quit."

"Oh. why aren't you going to stay and help me plan my wedding?" Francisca demanded.

"Yes," Andrew drawled. "Why aren't you, Rose?"

"Pookie and I should head home before we cause any more trouble for you here." She hoped it sounded like a noble excuse that no one would argue with. "We've already cost you a housekeeper, and I'm sure there's lots of work for you to do without having to take me to quilt shows and antique shops and out to dinner."

"I haven't minded." Andrew gave her a look that said, 'Come to bed with me'. Rose blushed.

*****

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